The Background of
Nobel Sustainability Trust
We encourage the research, development, action, and
implementation of sustainable solutions
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The Nobel Sustainability Trust Foundation (NSTF) is an independent organization legally registered in Switzerland since 2007 by four members of the Nobel family. Formerly known as the Nobel Charitable Trust, the organization changed its name in 2011 to Nobel Sustainability Trust (NST) in order to more accurately reflect its mission and activities. Today, its Board of Trustees includes five Nobel family members. Both the NST logo and The Sustainability Award are protected trademarks in the European Union and internationally.
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To fulfill its mission, the NST actively promotes research, development, action, and the implementation of sustainable solutions. A central element of its work is the establishment of the Sustainability Awards, presented annually to individuals or organizations that have made outstanding contributions to sustainability. The awards are conferred at a formal ceremony and gala dinner held in conjunction with a symposium organized by NST in major cities around the world.
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Great care is taken to ensure that the Sustainability Awards are recognized as completely independent of the traditional Nobel Prizes, and that there are no administrative or commercial ties between the Nobel Foundation and the NST.
The NST receives its financial support from sovereign entities, family offices, and corporations that share its vision and values. To ensure full transparency and accountability, the NST only collaborates with licensed and registered institutions that are regulated by the financial authorities in their respective jurisdictions. This clear oversight guarantees that the origin and use of funds are consistent with NST’s mission to foster a sustainable future.
The Mission of the
Nobel Sustainability Trust
The founders of the Nobel Sustainability Trust (NST) established the organization out of deep concern for the ongoing devastation of the world’s vital natural and non-renewable resources. Excessive consumption has contributed to rising global temperatures and the widespread pollution of land, food, water, and air. The founders firmly believe that the long-term economic and social health of human civilization will depend on access to sustainable sources of energy, as well as responsible approaches to agriculture, forestry, industrial production, and water reclamation. Meeting these challenges will require substantial intellectual, scientific, and financial commitment. It is the mission of the NST to support and accelerate this process.
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The overarching objective of NST is to safeguard and improve the quality of life on our planet—an objective increasingly threatened by pollution, climate change, and the relentless depletion of natural resources. Achieving this goal requires ensuring that essential elements of human survival—adequate food, clean water, fresh air, and reliable energy—remain available and accessible for present and future generations.
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In pursuit of this mission, the Nobel Sustainability Trust is committed to contributing in the following areas:
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Climate Change Mitigation – with a focus on reducing global warming and promoting resilience.
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Innovation in Clean and Renewable Technologies – supporting breakthroughs and policies that accelerate the transition to sustainable energy systems.
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A Pollution-Free and Life-Sustaining Environment – fostering solutions that restore and protect ecosystems within the planet’s carrying capacity.
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Inspiration and Education – encouraging present and future generations to embrace sustainability as both a responsibility and an opportunity.
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Through its programs, awards, and initiatives, NST seeks to catalyze action, empower innovation, and inspire collaboration worldwide—ensuring that sustainability becomes the foundation of a prosperous and enduring future.
Role of the NST Representative
The role of an NST Country Representative is to serve as an ambassador of the Nobel Sustainability Trust (NST) within their designated country or jurisdiction. Acting as a bridge between NST and local stakeholders, representatives are tasked with advancing the foundation’s mission, building strategic partnerships, and ensuring the successful implementation of NST’s programs and initiatives.
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A primary responsibility of each representative is to support the creation and continuation of the Sustainability Awards, as well as the development of the conference and event management infrastructure associated with these awards.
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NST Country Representatives, who operate under professional standards and in full compliance with local and international financial regulations, will assist with the following key areas of activity:
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Building Academic Partnerships
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Representatives will work to establish and maintain collaborative agreements with leading technological universities within their country or region. These universities will be encouraged to form local committees tasked with identifying and recommending groundbreaking inventions, discoveries, or technological developments in sustainability that have demonstrable benefits for society. These recommendations will then be presented to the lead coordinating university and its evaluation committee.
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Promoting Conferences and Events
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Representatives will assess the interest of their country—or its major cities—in hosting a Sustainability Conference followed by a gala dinner and award ceremony. Such events not only showcase NST’s vision and recognize outstanding contributions in sustainability but also foster international dialogue and cooperation among academia, industry, and government.
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Engaging Local Sponsors and Donors
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Representatives will finally be responsible for securing the financial support needed to sustain these initiatives. This includes approaching potential sponsors—such as sovereign wealth funds, corporations, family offices, and professional associations—and encouraging their participation in NST’s mission. Support may be provided through donations, sponsorships, or the carefully managed licensing of the NST name and services. All interested parties will undergo a strict due diligence and evaluation process to ensure full alignment with NST’s values and mission.
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Through these responsibilities, NST Representatives play a critical role in extending the reach of the foundation, fostering global collaboration, and ensuring that NST’s mission of promoting sustainability is advanced across diverse regions of the world.
Board of Directors
Peter Nobel
Peter has a degree of Master of Science in Material Science and Engineering from the Royal Institute of Technology in Stockholm.
He has an extensive track record of positioning companies for successful market share growth in various international industrial markets, such as the global HVAC industry.
Peter has extensive experience with several CEOs roles in different industries and executive positions in sales and marketing, R&D and manufacturing at global companies such as Alfa Laval and SWEP International.
He has significant expertise in successfully navigating long sales cycles for industrial component for various global industry sectors and implemented heat transfer products with an exponential growth resulting in world-wide and dominating market shares.
Peter Nobel has also co-founded and run start-ups companies in the clean-tech sector to develop and market a compact and efficient heat cell for applications in the heating industry and developed new methods in water purification technology. He holds patents as well as international pending patent applications for water purification technology and listed patents in heat exchanger technology.
Peter works actively as advisory consultant to company boards in e.g. Japan and Hong Kong.
Erik Nobel
Erik Nobel was born in Stockholm in 1979. In 2003, he graduated from the Stockholm School of Economics with a Master of Science degree in Business and Economics, specializing in Accounting and Financial Management. His academic training provided him with a strong foundation in finance, investment analysis, and corporate governance, which would become the cornerstones of his professional career.
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Over the past two decades, Erik has built a long and distinguished career in financial administration and investment management, holding senior positions across several Nordic and international companies. Early in his career, he gained extensive experience at JP Morgan, one of the world’s leading financial institutions, where he worked for several years and developed his expertise in global capital markets and corporate finance. He later joined Erik Penser Fonder, a respected Swedish asset management firm, where he deepened his knowledge of portfolio management and investment strategies tailored to institutional and private clients.
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Erik subsequently took on a leadership role as Investment Director at the Swedish 6th AP Fund (Sjätte AP-fonden), one of Sweden’s national pension buffer funds. In this position, he was responsible for overseeing large-scale investments, evaluating long-term financial strategies, and ensuring the fund’s contributions to the sustainability and stability of Sweden’s pension system. His tenure at the 6th AP Fund further established his reputation as a highly skilled and strategic investment professional.
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Today, Erik Nobel serves as the Managing Director in Stockholm for Levine, Leichtman Capital Partners (LLCP), an independent investment management firm headquartered in California. In this role, he leads the firm’s activities in the Nordic region, focusing on private equity investments, portfolio development, and the building of strong partnerships with local businesses. LLCP is recognized globally for its innovative and disciplined approach to private equity, and Erik’s leadership ensures that the Stockholm office plays a central role in the firm’s international strategy.
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Throughout his career, Erik Nobel has combined global financial expertise with a strong Nordic perspective, bringing value both to institutional investors and to the companies with which he has worked. His background reflects a unique blend of international experience, deep financial acumen, and leadership skills, positioning him as an influential figure in the investment management sector.
Niklas Nobel
Niklas Nobel was born in Stockholm in 1964. He pursued higher education at the Royal Institute of Technology (Kungliga Tekniska Högskolan, KTH), one of Sweden’s leading technical universities, where he specialized in computer science. In 1991, he graduated with a Master’s degree in Computer Science, equipping him with a strong foundation in programming, systems design, and emerging information technologies at a time when the digital revolution was beginning to transform industries worldwide.
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Following his graduation, Niklas embarked on a professional career as a software developer, working on a wide variety of projects across different platforms and technologies. Over the years, he has gained extensive experience in software architecture, systems integration, and the development of tailored digital solutions. His work has spanned both independent projects and collaborations with larger teams, giving him a broad understanding of the software industry’s evolving demands.
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During the past decade, Niklas has chosen to specialize in Android application development, an area that has grown rapidly alongside the global expansion of smartphones and mobile technologies. He has built a portfolio of applications and solutions designed to meet the needs of both businesses and individual users. His work in this field reflects a combination of technical expertise, creativity, and adaptability, enabling him to stay at the forefront of mobile innovation.
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Niklas’s career demonstrates not only his deep commitment to software development but also his ability to evolve with the changing technological landscape. His focus on Android app development highlights his entrepreneurial spirit and his drive to contribute to the digital tools that shape modern life.
Stephanie Nobel
Stephanie Nobel was born in Stockholm in 1987. From an early age she demonstrated a strong interest in education, child development, and the social sciences, which later shaped her choice of academic studies and professional career.
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After completing her senior high school education in Stockholm, Stephanie pursued her passion for teaching by enrolling at the University of Malmö, where she studied Pedagogy and Educational Sciences. Her studies focused on learning theory, teaching methodologies, and inclusive education, with a particular emphasis on how schools can foster creativity, critical thinking, and social responsibility in young people. In 2018, she graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Education, marking an important milestone in her commitment to the field of education.
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Following her graduation, Stephanie chose to apply her knowledge and skills in practical teaching environments. She is currently working as a teacher at Tolvåkerskolan in Skåne, where she plays an active role in guiding and supporting students through their formative years. In her role, she emphasizes not only academic achievement but also the importance of personal growth, resilience, and community engagement.
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Beyond the classroom, Stephanie is deeply interested in the role of education as a driver of sustainable development and social well-being. She believes that high-quality, accessible education is one of the most powerful tools for shaping future generations, addressing global challenges, and fostering equality and opportunity.
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Her career reflects a commitment to lifelong learning, teaching excellence, and the empowerment of young people, values that she continues to promote in her professional life as an educator.
Johan Nobel
Johan Nobel was born in Helsingborg, Sweden, in 1986. In 2013, he graduated from the Royal Institute of Technology (KTH) with a Master of Science in Economics, specializing in Innovation and Growth. His academic background gave him a strong foundation in financial systems, economic development, and the role of innovation in driving sustainable business growth.
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He began his professional career at the Royal Bank of Scotland, where he worked within Scandinavian Rates Strategy. This role allowed him to develop a deep understanding of financial markets, risk analysis, and strategic planning. Over the years, Johan has held several key positions in a variety of financial institutions, giving him broad expertise across different financial products, loan origination, and client relationship management. His experience includes working with both corporate and institutional clients, helping them design and implement financing solutions tailored to their needs.
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Today, Johan serves as a Senior Client Executive at the Swedish Export Credit Corporation (SEK), a state-owned bank based in Stockholm. In this capacity, he works to support Swedish exporters, their subsidiaries abroad, and international customers. His responsibilities include structuring financing packages that enable Swedish companies to grow globally, while strengthening Sweden’s position as a competitive player in international trade.
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Johan’s career reflects a strong commitment to fostering financial solutions that not only drive business success but also support long-term economic growth and innovation.
